A pro and fan born in Edmonton, Alberta, he moved while still a child to Minneapolis where he lived for the rest of his life. While a pro, Dickson was also involved with fandom, attending conventions and taking part in filks (there is a Ballad of Gordy Dickson, and he wrote the lyrics for many filk songs) and was universally liked. He was briefly married to LAfanDjinn Faine.

Probably his most famous work is Dorsai! which was the inspiration for (and he was unofficial patron of) the Dorsai Irregulars. Dorsai! was part of the large Childe Cycle. His Hoka stories written with Poul Anderson were also very popular.